But to answer @meyerweb's question
> Is it basically what this issue is about, or something else?
The color hints were one way to address the problems with linear gradients being ugly in many cases. They are based on gradients used [in Adobe products](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/gradients.html). The mid-point position is easy to represent and intuitive to adjust in a visual editor.
But as @svgeesus noted, the curves created by mid-point adjustments are less flexible than the cubic bezier curves used in the transition functions, because they are defined by one point, not two. In particular, you can't create S-curve ease-in-out relationship. And you definitely cannot create steps. So I think there is a value in having both: the mid-points for their simplicity, and full transition functions for more control.
--
GitHub Notification of comment by AmeliaBR
Please view or discuss this issue at https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts/issues/1332#issuecomment-300244425 using your GitHub account